Burlington Central - Nelson School Realignment Boundary Review

The following letter will be emailed to all parents at the following schools:

• Tecumseh PS

SUBJECT:  Burlington Central-Nelson Realignment Boundary Review: Notice of Recommendation

September 9, 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to provide you with an update regarding the Burlington Central-Nelson School Realignment Boundary Review. This review was initiated in response to feedback from the Boundary Review Committee (BRC) and members of the public during the previous Burlington Southwest Boundary Review, including concerns about Tecumseh PS students being directed to different secondary schools. As outlined in  Board Report 26039, approved on June 2, 2026, this realignment will support students residing east of Guelph Line and provide a more cohesive transition to secondary school.

We are pleased to inform you that the Boundary Review Steering Committee has recommended Option 1 as the preferred option. This recommendation is scheduled to be presented to the Halton District School Board Trustees at the Board meeting tonight, Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

We understand that boundary reviews can cause uncertainty. Please be assured of the following:

• Students residing east of Guelph Line within the Tecumseh PS catchment (English program) who are entering Grade 9 in 2027 will now be directed to Nelson HS.
• Students residing west of Guelph Line within the Tecumseh PS catchment will continue to be directed to Burlington Central School. There is no change in the Grade 9 direction.
• There is no impact to students currently enrolled at Burlington Central School or Nelson HS.

Next Steps and Public Participation

• Sept. 9, 2026 Board meeting: Recommendation presented to the Board of Trustees for information.
• Oct. 7, 2026 Board meeting: The Board of Trustees will consider the recommendation for approval.
• Sept. 1, 2027: New boundaries will take effect.

The Halton District School Board values community input. If you would like to share your perspective, you are invited to make a presentation or delegation to the Board of Trustees. Detailed information on how to submit your request can be found in the Communicating with the Trustee and Delegating to the Board Procedure.

Questions?

We understand that boundary changes are significant for families, and we are here to support you through this transition. If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding this review, please do not hesitate to contact us at 

BurlCen-Nelson_Review@hdsb.ca. 

For a full history of the process to date, please visit our Burlington Central - Nelson School Realignment Boundary Review webpage.

Sincerely,

Frederick Thibeault

General Manager of Planning

This message was provided to all parents/guardians and principals at the following schools: Tecumseh, Burlington Central HS and Nelson HS on June 9, 2025 

SUBJECT: Notification of Burlington Central - Nelson School Realignment Boundary Review

Dear parent/guardian,  

We are writing to inform you of an upcoming boundary review for the communities of Burlington Central HS, Nelson High HS and Tecumseh PS. At the June 2, 2026, Board meeting, Trustees of the Halton District School Board passed a motion (below) to initiate the process for a boundary review. 

Trustee motion (as presented in Board Report 26040)

BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Trustees direct staff to initiate and complete a boundary review for Secondary Review Areas (SRA) 101 Downtown Burlington, 102, Southeast Burlington, to realign the boundaries of the English program for community cohesion.

This boundary review primarily focuses on the Tecumseh PS area east of Guelph Line. Currently, students in this specific neighbourhood attend Burlington Central HS. This creates a split cohort, separating them from their peers in the adjacent Tecumseh PS neighbourhood who attend Nelson HS.

Figure 1: Study Area

This boundary review will not impact current students or students entering schools in September 2026.

What is the goal of this boundary review? 

Current pathways do not reflect the convergence of Makwendam PS and Tecumseh PS at the Grade 7 and 8 level. This boundary review aims to keep student cohorts together, minimize transitions and bring more students closer to their community schools. 

Tecumseh PS will maintain a split Grade 8 community, as students from the Leighland neighbourhood will still be directed to Burlington Central HS due to its proximity.

Please note that you are receiving this message as the outcome of this boundary review may impact the school where your child attends Grade 9 in September 2027.

What are the next steps?

• A Boundary Review Steering Committee (made up of trustees, senior administration and planning staff) will be formed to confirm the Pathway 2 process, determine the schools involved and develop an option in accordance with the HDSB’s School Boundary Review Administrative Procedure. 

• Notification of a Recommendation will be sent upon a recommendation to the Board of Trustees.

This boundary review is expected to conclude by September 2026, with any changes taking effect in September 2027.

Further information

More details will be shared with affected school communities as the process continues. Families can stay informed by visiting the boundary review webpage, which contains background information and updates to date. If you have questions about this boundary review, please email BurlCen-Nelson_Review@hdsb.ca.